How important is the room?

[JodiR]

In an effort to save money, I am thinking of just getting a room on Cat. 12. There are 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 13 & 9). Would these type of rooms be ok? I was quoted $3,300 (4 day cruise) for a Cat. 9, deck 2 for June 2006. With airfare, the cost is going to be greater...may be more than I want to spend. Thanks

 

[chasbos]

Wow, time of year sure makes a difference! We sailed Jan 23 and only paid $3400 for 2 - Cat 9's! There were 6 of us so we paid for 4 adults and 2 kids. We really enjoyed the window but if it was go on the cruise without a window or stay home - I would cruise! You are hardly in your room at all anyway!

 

[musicgirl]

We've done 3 cruises (1 was a 7 night) and been in cat. 11. deck 7 aft. We like this because it is close to the secret deck.

We aren't in the room much, so it really isn't that important to us. Now if we were ever upgraded to a suite, I wouldn't complain!!!

That's just us. Some people really enjoy the verandah and the split baths. It would be a real bummer to pay for a verandah and have bad weather or have pipe smokers next door.

JMHO

 

[musicgirl]

Also, you didn't mention if you were talking about adding the flights through DCL. If you were, don't do it!!!! It is way overpriced and you have no say in flight times.

I have heard to many horror stories about stop overs, late flights, too many connections.

We book our own and go a day early so in case we have a flight delay, it is ok. You can not choose to go a day early with DCL.

 

[ivanova]

when we do 3-4 night cruises we're perfectly happy "in a closet" (inside cabin, no window) because honestly we aren't in the room that much. For a 7 night (or the 14 night repo) we HAVE to have a verandah because we know there will be a point during the cruise where we'll want to "gel" in our room from time to time.

 

[JodiR]

The quote was from a TA and I wasn't going to get my flight through DCL. It seems so expensive through DCL.

 

[kcashner]

We have cruised on the Magic 12 times. We've had a verandah and we've had an inside cabin (several times). You really won't use the cabin much. The verandah is lovely if you have a young child sleeping and you want a "private" place to be while watching them....or if you are romantic and want a private breakfast.....

However, I enjoy saving the $ and booking low end. I wouldn't hesitate to book a cat 12 (you'll probably sail in at least an 11...which is the same but on a different deck). Also, do not hesitate to book a "GTY" cabin--this means that you are guaranteed at least that category (GTY 12 is at least a 12, GTY 9 is at least a 9) You will not sail lower than that category, and have a decent chance of an upgrade (even if the ship is technically full). However, do not book a gty in a lower category than you will be happy in--upgrades are certainly not promised. The downside to a gty is that you do not get to choose your cabin. However, if there is anything wrong with the cabin you are assigned (noise from being below a nightclub, a screaming baby next door, etc.) you have only to go to guest services and you will be moved. Even when the ship is technically "full," there are always a few cabins available for such needs.

I'm not suggesting that you make a problem where there isn't one, but if you are truly having a problem, they will make it right.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

WOW....

Chasbos...how did you go so cheap? I am sailing in October 2005 which is also lower rates and for 6 of us the rate cheapest rate we got was about $5400 for a cat 8 and cat 11, which was the same as 2 Cat 9 cabins...have the prices really gone up that much???? PLus we are talking about 2 adults and 4 kids, although 2 of the kids pay adult fare ....

We has a verandah on our 4 day cruise and we spent so little time in there it was not worth it...but i am taking my first 7 day this fall and i might miss it on a longer cruise....

 

[kaykels]

I'm a big fan of cat 11. I had a verandah last time and thought I wouldn't be able to downgrade after that, but ya know what...... not worth an extra 2000.00 !!!! It's still the same cruise, just no glass slider, big whoop. Nice to have, but I can live without it. I'm only there to sleep.

 

[chasbos]

Not sure how we got such a good rate. I was also quoted an incredible rate for the same week (end of Jan 06) for the 7 night western - $5400 for 2 Cat 9's for the 6 of us - 2 adults, 4 kids. That was the rebooking on board rate and I should have grabbed it, but DH likes to do different types of vacations every year so we have to take a year off the cruising

I booked last April for our Jan cruise but changed the week we sailed in September and then again in October I changed our room category - just needed the large port holes!

I also just used my local TA whom I use for all of my vacations.

I really think that Disney has jacked their prices up and they are getting a little out there IMO. We may try RCCL the next time we cruise but we loved the service we got on Disney and are a little hesitant to try something else!

 

[budwmn]

Here's my theory: Your hotel tastes are the same as those for a cabin. If you're happy in a smaller, less frills hotel room, you'll be happy in that kind of a cabin on a ship. If you like bigger rooms with more perks, then you should get that kind of a cabin.

 

[lbgraves]

If you book a cat 12 for four people you WILL be in at least a cat 11. DCL's 12s only sleep 3 people so they wont be able to assign you to one with 4 people. They have been doing this deal for over a year though so don't worry about your resi.

 

[WDWLVR]

It is all personal preference. Some people don't spend much time in their rooms. We however like to relax in the room and I love my verandah. I'm not one for laying out by the pool for long periods of time, but give me a good book on my verandah and I'm happy.

If you have an inside room there are plenty of other places to enjoy the fresh air. My favorite is the padded loungers down deck 4 - they are great.

 

[glindamood]

As WDWLVR said, it is a personal choice. I choose to cruise more often in an inside cabin than less often with the verandah. Cat. 11's aft on Deck 7 are my favorite, very close to the public deck way aft which is usually pretty quiet (great place for morning coffee).

 

[jrabbit]

With 4 people and the ages of your kids, you should consider a cat 10 room as a starting point. These rooms have the split baths which should come in handy with your family's "configuration". You'll save a little money over a cat 9. On the 3 or 4 night cruises you really are only going to be in the room to sleep at night and to change your cloths / shower late in the afternoon to get ready for the evenings activities.

Remember on DCL, it does NOT matter what room you have - EVERYONE shares ALL of the common areas on the ship - and that is really what you are paying for - the common stuff: pools, food, entertainment, shows, activities, etc.

Go and enjoy!!!!

 

[JayCee32]

Hey my question may be silly....But I'll ask anyway. Just please no chat fight

Are people treated different or receive better treatment than the ones who spent less money? Maybe I should not have watched Titantic again last night and I would not have ask the question

A friend of mine said when she sailed on another cruise and was in a suite they had free champagne and chocolate covered strawberries every morning. Just wanted to know if people receive special services when they spend more money.

 

[crisi]

Except for suite passengers (categories 1 2 and 3) who get concierge service and a full room service menu, all passengers are treated alike.

Another thought is that outside staterooms may not be optimal if you are a late night/late riser type person. You can cozy into an inside and sleep in.

We like the veranda, but cost isn't our #1 concern.

 

[rejobako]

JayCee: interesting question. I certainly hope those sailing in Cat 12 aren't all relegated to some sweltering spot in the hold where they dance Irish jigs for entertainment.

That being said, certainly there are benefits and services available for certain upper level categories, like concierge service, and regular unrequested deliveries of snacks and beverages, free gifts, etc. But in a sense, those extras are "paid for" many times over, when you consider the price of those cabins.

But I would hope that there would be no evidence of any type of discrimination in the common areas of the ship benefiting those in higher categories. I've never heard any complaints like that.

 

[JayCee32]

Thanks for responding. This is our first time cruising and were in Cat 05 b/c I think I may relax on the Verandah with my DH while the kids are in the club. I am not familar with the staterooms and I wanted to know if the outside staterooms are in Cat 05? Im glad you liked the Verandah my husband request that we have it and I didn't care so this is our first time cruising and we'll decide on our next cruise if it was worth it

Except for suite passengers (categories 1 2 and 3) who get concierge service and a full room service menu, all passengers are treated alike.

Another thought is that outside staterooms may not be optimal if you are a late night/late riser type person. You can cozy into an inside and sleep in.

We like the veranda, but cost isn't our #1 concern.

 

[JayCee32]

Oh I didn't mean to come off as thinking that anyone would be discriminated against. I just wanted to know if they receive special treatments like GIFTS< free chocolate covered strawberries, free t-shirts or robes, etc. If any one else post something in regards to my message please don't think that.
I know that DISNEY treat everyone the same. I was just wondering about free gifts. sorry for any confusions if anyone else read my message thinking I was on "THAT LEVEL" reading it the wrong way. SORRY

JayCee: interesting question. I certainly hope those sailing in Cat 12 aren't all relegated to some sweltering spot in the hold where they dance Irish jigs for entertainment.

That being said, certainly there are benefits and services available for certain upper level categories, like concierge service, and regular unrequested deliveries of snacks and beverages, free gifts, etc. But in a sense, those extras are "paid for" many times over, when you consider the price of those cabins.

But I would hope that there would be no evidence of any type of discrimination in the common areas of the ship benefiting those in higher categories. I've never heard any complaints like that.